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Post by Gary on Sept 22, 2016 11:51:16 GMT
First have had a Streetlite out the last two days doing route familiarisation with drivers. Spotted it travelling from T5 to CTA via NPR as suspected.
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Post by l1group on Oct 9, 2016 8:28:39 GMT
Already tried out part of the new network.
There is some confusion over the network already. The awkward stopping places for the 6 and 7 are baffling some people (not in the bus station but on Bath Road - the shopping centre side!). Luckily the N7 goes into the bus station! A lot of 7series buses are being used for non-7/N7 routes.
The N7: during the night, there is normally 1-4 odd people on the buses by the time it reaches T5, until shift change time! Then it gets, erm... Standing room only. I've done the new Hatton Cross section for the N7 and other than getting stuck at Cargo Centre for a tad (roadworks meaning a 12m bus doing a "P" style turn on a mini-roundabout), it was fine. I suspect the last N7 would be more popular than my 3rd-to-last journey with 2 people (and no one wanting it from Hatton to Slough). The last few N7s are actually quite busy towards Heathrow.
There is a rebranding due for the 7series if you go by the timetable showing them as a "Royal Blue" route. More new E20Ds are also being ordered (and delivered).
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Post by M1199 on Nov 16, 2016 16:05:55 GMT
Spotted a 7 Series branded Citaro on the 8 at T5 earlier, still with adverts advertising a 24 hour service on Routes 75 & 78!
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Post by TNL33036 on Oct 7, 2017 21:10:23 GMT
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Post by Gary on Oct 9, 2017 20:39:03 GMT
Really nice design! Looks smart.
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Post by stubag on Nov 11, 2017 12:13:10 GMT
Just been informed that there are changes including the complete withdrawal of the 702 from 24th December. I've trawled N&Ps but can't find anything.....
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Post by snoggle on Nov 11, 2017 12:34:04 GMT
Just been informed that there are changes including the complete withdrawal of the 702 from 24th December. I've trawled N&Ps but can't find anything..... Goodness that's quite a change if they're scrapping the 702. They've persevered with that for years and years. I can only assume demand has fallen or traffic conditions are making it too costly to keep going.
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Post by N230UD on Nov 12, 2017 0:05:07 GMT
Just been informed that there are changes including the complete withdrawal of the 702 from 24th December. I've trawled N&Ps but can't find anything..... A few months ago I went on a return trip from London to Windsor on the 702, and in both directions it was very lightly loaded - not good considering its hourly. A complete contrast to the Oxford Tube!
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Post by planesandtrains on Nov 12, 2017 0:08:36 GMT
Just been informed that there are changes including the complete withdrawal of the 702 from 24th December. I've trawled N&Ps but can't find anything..... A few months ago I went on a return trip from London to Windsor on the 702, and in both directions it was very lightly loaded - not good considering its hourly. A complete contrast to the Oxford Tube! I think a realistic option would be reducing it to peak hours only. However, First haven't really been publishing the route at all, when will operators understand, if they want to get passengers on the bus, they are going to have to do a little more than branding and leather seats. Transdev Harrogate springs to mind as an operator who really publicise their services well. As for the other routes, does the 7 really justify a 10 minute frequency? Every time I use it or see it there are a few dozen people on it at most. It might be different in peak hours though.
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Post by snoggle on Nov 12, 2017 0:23:52 GMT
As for the other routes, does the 7 really justify a 10 minute frequency? Every time I use it or see it there are a few dozen people on it at most. It might be different in peak hours though. I suspect that First view that frequency as part of a "territory protection" move. You don't run useless frequencies into somewhere like Heathrow from Slough and thus allow potential competitors to come in and grab lucrative territory. First already have to cope with the 81 being almost as frequent, far cheaper and dropping people into the Freeflow zone on the Bath Road.
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Post by stubag on Nov 12, 2017 8:07:33 GMT
Just been informed that there are changes including the complete withdrawal of the 702 from 24th December. I've trawled N&Ps but can't find anything..... A few months ago I went on a return trip from London to Windsor on the 702, and in both directions it was very lightly loaded - not good considering its hourly. A complete contrast to the Oxford Tube! It used to leave people behind on a few trips out of London before the buses were introduced
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Post by redexpress on Nov 12, 2017 14:30:08 GMT
As for the other routes, does the 7 really justify a 10 minute frequency? Every time I use it or see it there are a few dozen people on it at most. It might be different in peak hours though. I suspect that First view that frequency as part of a "territory protection" move. You don't run useless frequencies into somewhere like Heathrow from Slough and thus allow potential competitors to come in and grab lucrative territory. First already have to cope with the 81 being almost as frequent, far cheaper and dropping people into the Freeflow zone on the Bath Road. I wonder how the 7 would fare if it wasn't for the subsidised airport travelcard scheme. Even TfL fares can't compete with £25 a month! If everyone had to pay full commercial fares I doubt the 7 would be that frequent.
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Post by MoEnviro on Nov 12, 2017 18:23:49 GMT
A few months ago I went on a return trip from London to Windsor on the 702, and in both directions it was very lightly loaded - not good considering its hourly. A complete contrast to the Oxford Tube! It used to leave people behind on a few trips out of London before the buses were introduced With a replacement service from Reading Buses now registered, also including extension from Slough to Reading via Bracknell.
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Post by planesandtrains on Nov 13, 2017 0:01:59 GMT
It used to leave people behind on a few trips out of London before the buses were introduced With a replacement service from Reading Buses now registered, also including extension from Slough to Reading via Bracknell. Oh yes! If they can offer an integrated day ticket then they will see a lot of custom from me Just imagine all the innovation they could do....I did see a 702 yesterday morning on the westway and it was fairly decently loaded.
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Post by snoggle on Nov 13, 2017 0:23:37 GMT
With a replacement service from Reading Buses now registered, also including extension from Slough to Reading via Bracknell. Reading Buses don't miss a trick do they? How many routes and operations have they taken on that were previously declared "dead" by the old operator and seemingly breathed new life into the routes and got more passengers on the buses. Albeit via a different route it's almost like having the old Reading X1 service back.
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